Gardens
Gardens symbolize the possibilities that exist outside of the traditional spaces of society or the constraints of “real life.” The book begins in plague-ravaged Florence, but when the ten members of the brigata (the ten…
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Fortune
Fortune symbolizes the capricious and random changes of life and circumstances. It is based on the medieval conception of “Fortuna,” a goddess or semi-deified force. The idea of fortune’s wheel, drawn from ancient philosophy and…
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Gifts
In The Decameron, physical gifts represent the power dynamics of relationships between people. They symbolize and enact a complex system of relationships and obligations between individuals, primarily serving to demonstrate generosity, recognize a person’s…
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